Men of Courage foundation cheers Detroit kids on as they head back to school

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Kids at one school in Detroit got a special welcome as they headed into the building Tuesday morning. Dozens of black men, part of the Men of Courage Program, were waiting for the students at Fisher Magnet Upper Academy to cheer them on as they made their way back to school.

They all lined up and gave the kids high fives and school supplies as they made their way to their classroom. 

The Men of Courage Program is a grassroots organization that started a few years ago in Detroit and continues to grow nationally, in cities like Baltimore and Cincinnati. The program was founded by Ford Motor Company, and rapper Big Sean was also a major player in getting the pilot program.

"This was a great thing. It's just good to be here, to show support for these young people. Not only to let them know that we're here for them now, but even as they go through life that we're here, that somebody's behind them and standing up for them. And we're with them 100 percent," Duane Johnson told us.

"We want to roll up our sleeves and be able to let them know they can dream and be everything they want to be, and it doesn't matter what the limitations are. We want to support, we want to empower, and we want to give them all the tools that they know - and need - and let them know they can be successful," Changmire Coleman said. 

You can get more information on the organization online here.